Healing
Modern medical science can accomplish great things, from widely available "wonder drugs" that have helped so many, to the actual transplanting of hearts, kidneys and other vital organs - it's almost miraculous. Almost, because sooner or later we are all going to die from something that doctors are unable to cure or repair. Drugs and scalpels have their limitations because mortal humans have their limitations - we could not inherit eternal life, as spirit beings, in our physical state. Our physical lives, with all of our experiences, good or bad (see Why Does God Allow Suffering?), are very important, but there is something infinitely greater to follow in due time (see Why Were You Born?).
There are however many recorded incidents in The Bible where people were miraculously healed of disease or injury, by The Holy Spirit, usually for one, or both, of two reasons: to demonstrate the power of Almighty God while proclaiming The Gospel, and to bring into, or keep an individual alive for, His service. A few examples (from the New American Standard translation) -
- "Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, "Thus says The Lord, The God of your father David, I have heard your Prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to The House of The Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David's sake." (2 Kings 20:5-6) (see Hezekiah's Tunnel)
- "Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming The Gospel of The Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them." (Matthew 4:23-24)
- "And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim The Kingdom of God and to perform healing." (Luke 9:1-2)
- "And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of The Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through The Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." (1 Corinthians 12:5-11)
Fact Finder: Did the Crucifixion of The Savior also make healing possible?
1 Peter 2:24
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